Latest in Beauty; Beauty Boxes

If your a fellow product junkie, you'll have heard of Glossy Box but have you heard of the Latest In Beauty?

From as little as £9.95 (plus p&p) you can choose your beauty box collection and try a selection of luxury samples put together in a cute box. Or if you prefer, you can subscribe and on a monthly basis, receive a 'Little Beauty Box' with mini samples to try. There's also luxury samples available on their site to purchase separately if there's something you fancy trying but don't want to go the whole hog and would rather try before you buy!

I recently purchased the Summer Lovin' Box.

 For £14.95 I received a St.Tropez Instant Glow Body Lotion (50ml) and full size tanning mitt, Richard Ward Volumiser Root Booster(50ml), Bellapierre Mineral Blush and Eyeshadow(both full size), Cosmopolitan Blush Brush, False Lashes and Lash Curlers from The Vintage Cosmetics Company, SteamCream moisturiser (75g) and a Batiste Dry Shampoo(50g).

'Summer Lovin' Beauty Box'

I would definitely purchase a collection box again, I like that you know what your getting when you order and pay for it. The sizes were excellent and perfect for travelling if, like me, you purchased this for your summer hols! The products are high quality, reputable brands and the value for money is high.

Clinique A Different Nail Enamel for Sensitive Skins

Clinique have finally brought nail varnishes back!!

A Different Nail Enamel for Sensitive Skins, not a catchy name but the colours are eye catching and the packaging is pretty!

'packaging'

They have 12 colours here to stay, including a basecoat/topcoat, and 9 limited edition shades for the summer. The permanent range has a variety of easy to wear shades with your classic reds and pinks but also some stronger shades of deep red and slate, whereas the summer range has some more daring colours with yellow, blue, green,silver and fluro coral!

'Hot Date'

The bottles are quite similar to Nails Inc bottles but a bit skinnier and taller but the enamel itself is very unique. Like the rest of Clinique's range, the enamels are allergy tested and suitable for sensitive skins. 

It may seem odd to be allergic or sensitive to nail varnish but it's not necessarily the hands that can be irritated by our nail varnish..did you know that we touch our faces up to 5,500 times a day? 

'Heart'

The colours I've tried so far have gone on smoothly although a few shades have taken quite a few layers to build up a strong, opaque finish. The enamels have a high gloss finish and are long wearing although I'd highly recommend using the 2in1 Basecoat/ Topcoat. when I've used another base coat and topcoat, It hasn't lasted quite as well as when I used the Basecoat/Topcoat.

'Black Honey'

I love the colours available and at £12 for 9ml, it's not too harsh a price point but I am slightly disappointed with the application and drying time. 'Happy' went on smoothly, only need a couple of coats and dried fairly quick but the others that I've tried so far have needed a few coats before you can get the strong uniformed colour and then have taken a while to dry...I get pretty impatient as I dont often have very long to just sit around waiting for my nails to dry! 

 I'd give these an 8/10..They are still high quality given that they've had to be tested and formulated for sensitive skins but there is room for improvement on consistancy, application and drying time for sure!

Although, if I was someone that was normally allergic to  nail enamels and didn't have the choice to wear any ones I wanted, then I'd be rating them 10/10!!

BareMinerals New Marvelous MOXIE

 MOXIE: (mox-see) noun.

Shameless sass, All out spirit,Total passion overload with plenty of attitude to match.

BareMinerals already have a strong colour position within the beauty department with their vast array of eyeshadow pigments aswell as their newer compact eyeshadow pallettes but their lipsticks have been lacking that VaVa Voom, until now.
Introducing... the Marvelous MOXIE Lips range!

'Moxie Range'

I have never experienced a lipstick that feels so good to wear but actually lasts on my lips. The Moxie lipsticks are so creamy and buttery that on first impressions, I didn't expect them to last more than 20mins, let alone a morning! I put them to the test last week on a shopping trip with my lovely friend, Fay, (also a big makeup up fan!).

Before I left the house in the morning I lined my lips first with marvelous MOXIE lipliner in 'Electrified' then filled in with 'Lead the Way' lipstick and a slick of 'Ring Leader' lipgloss over the top. By the time I'd got to town, had a good mooch around H&M then had Costa and a natter...the lipstick was still in place- hadn't bled or faded in colour at all! It wasn't quite as dewy on my lips as on first application but the colour was still bold and my lips were still perfectly lined!

'Lead The Way'

'Electrified/Lead the Way/Ring Leader'

My favourite colour at the moment is 'Fly High' lipstick, a creamy  lavender pink. I'm a bit more tanned than usual and it really stands out and compliments my tan. I line my lips first with 'Jazzed'  lipliner and smudge it in a little so it's not too much of a strong line then build the colour up with 'Fly HIgh'.

'Fly High'

'Jazzed and Fly High'

As you all know, I'm a balmy kinda gal! I normally choose lipbalm over lipstick because my lips get too dry and I get fed up of having to reapply becaused the colours cracked up or disappeared.
What I love most about these new lipsticks is that they have a moisture-loaded hydrating complex that nourishes and conditions your lips aswell as vitamins A,C and E to protect your against enviromental stress whilst the mineral infused formula revitalises lips for a healthy looking pout so all you've got to do is apply and be MOXIE!!

I've noticed a difference in my lip texture since wearing these and I don't find myself wanting/ needing to apply lipbalm over the top to keep my lips comfortable. I can finally dare to wear colour without the hassle and fuss!

With 18 shades of lipstick, varying from peaches and pinks to stand out reds and bold berries, theres plenty of choice and variety and the 10 lipliners in the range means you can always have a perfected pout.
I can't get enough of the lipgloss too (10 shades). They smell good enough to eat and feel really refreshing! With Shea, Avocado and Murumuru butters they deeply hydrate and smooth the lips whilst giving long lasting shine and making your lips looking fuller and plumper instantly and over time!

The Marvelous MOXIE range is out now and available in the BareMinerals boutiques and Counters so go and see a BareMinerals Beauty Ambassador for 'make under' and find your MOXIE combination...

Clinique CC Cream- SPF30 Hydrating Colour Corrector

This latest craze in the beauty world is my new must have! Clinique's CC cream- Colour Correcting cream, removes redness in the skin and brightens dullness and greyness in the skin. The clever technology in this hydrating cream, targets all colour concerns in the skin by using a lavender pigment with a white shell that, on application, shatters and brightens the skin whilst the lavender pigment corrects colour concerns.

 Complexion Perfection Magic!!

'CC Cream'

This can be used alone or as a primer to foundation but since using it, I've found that I no longer need a foundation because this does everything I need in a foundation! It makes my blotchiness disappear, It brightens my skin, It minimizes my darker freckles whilst hydrating (its part of the Moisture Surge franchise) and protecting my skin with SPF30- higher than any SPF you'll find in a foundation.

I find the best way to apply this is with your fingers. Using my fingers, I found the coverage could be built up better and it blended in easier but with a brush I found that it's coverge was too sheer and not as natural.

A powder isn't necessary as it has a semi-matte finish but i've been using Clinique's Almost Powder dusted over the top and for touch ups through the day and it becomes flawless!

At £28 for 30ml, It's slightly pricier than most of Clinique's foundations but it's worth it for the amazing effect it has on your skin as well as the treatment benefits. This one is definately coming on holiday with me!

Dior Nail Glow

This is the most magical nail varnish I've come across! Dior's Nail Glow makes the pink look pinker and the whites of your nails brighter, resulting in an instant,natural, french manicure.

'Dior Nail Glow'

In the bottle it looks neon pink but when painted on the nail its the perfect rosey hue and because it brightens the whites, the cuticles and nail tips stand put making the nails look really healthy.The applicator is the original dior nail varnish brush making it quick and easy to apply, literally one stroke covered each nail and it was dry within seconds.

'Two Coats'

I found I needed two coats to really get that pretty manicured look as with one coat it was too much like a standard clear varnish and flaked and chipped too easily. Although, having worn two coats for a couple if days, it has stayed a bit better but then I chipped the paint on the thumb just by opening a drink can! 

So considering it costs £18, it's a bit of a disappointment in quality. I guess a topcoat over the varnish might lock it in to stay on better but in comparison to my topshop varnishes (which everyone knows im addicted to!) it hasn't got the stamina!

All in all, i'd give this varnish a 7/10...points for magical effect but not for quality and stamina!

 

Nail Polish Collection- Out Of Hand??

So after spending a good couple of hours sorting out my nail kit and rounding up the polishes from various makeup bags, hand bags and vanity cases I have finally condensed my collection down!

Well, I say condensed... I only managed to throw out a handful of shades and the case still wont close! I think the only solution will be to buy a bigger vanity case to house them!

' Just a few...'

Whilst sorting through them, I came across three that I had bought double of..quite clearly needed to look through and see what I already I had!

Over the years I seem to have spent a fair amount of nail polishes, from Rimmel and NYC for a few pound to Dior and YSL for quite a few pounds but still my favorites have to be my Topshop and Dior ones- They never let me down!

 For those that read my blog, you'll know how in love I am with Topshop polishes and I didn't realise I'd collected so many- I counted 15 of them in my box and after taking the above photo, I found more! 

You can never have to many though...I've already got my eye on some new shades in their new collection!

Dior, Diorshow Heat Curl

This is my latest beauty tool! Diorshow Heat Curl- It's a heated lash curler that was a litlle scary the first time I tried it but is so easy to use and I love the results!

'Heat Curl Applicator'

'Diorshow Heat Curl'

Luckily it came with a battery so I could get going straight away. You just flick the switch up and within seconds the little applicator has heated up and you're ready to go! It has two heat settings so you can chose depending on your desired effect.

To curl the lashes you brush through them as if you were applying mascara. At first it was a bit uncomfortable as you can feel the heat against your eyeballs- you really wouldnt want to slip! After a while i got used to it and the curler really lifts your lashes- my mascara goes on so much better and the lift and curl stays put all day.

'Curled with Heat Lash, Coated In High Impact Extreme'

This can also be used over mascara to thin the mascara formula and perfectly coat every lash for an even application. I tried this but wasnt too sure about it- I prefer using it before to prep my lashes as it got a bit messy and I was concerned with ruining the heated wand but it does come with a little brush to clean of the wand after.

At £23 it's a bit pricey for a lash curler and is priced similarly to Dior mascaras but it's totally worth it- look after it and you'll only ever need to replace the battery! I normally use traditional lash curlers and once the spare rubber has been used, generally I end up having to buy a new curler because replacement rubbers are hard to come by.

So i'm seeing this as a tool investment!

Click here to get yours!

Carmex Moisturising Lip Balm

I'd have been lost this past week without my little yellow tube of Carmex! Battling the snow, Braving the cold weather, Suffering from a cold- Carmex has seen me through!

'Carmex'

Carmex does exactly as it says on the tube. It soothes, It relieves, It moisturises.

Since starting out in the 1930's, formulated by Alfred Woelbing, Carmex has grown and evolved. Originally coming in a little yellow capped pot, Carmex now comes in pots, tubes and sticks and in a variety of flavours! 

The one im using at the moment is the orignal flavour. It has a slight Vanilla scent and taste but the menthol dominates the balm- making my lips feel fresh and tingly!

Ive been suffering with a cold this week and its been my best friend- it hasnt left my side- ive even been dabbing some on my poor little chapped nose! 

My friend, Ratchel, bought me the cherry version of this one for christmas and at the Clotheshow Live i bought a stick version in lime flavour so im nicely stocked up for the rest of the winter!

M.A.C Morange- Amplified Creme Lipstick

I'm braving a new colour... M.A.C's loudmouth Orange-Morange!

Morange is one of M.A.C's amplified creme lipsticks and although it is Orange(!) it has just enough of a red hue for it to not be too 'out-there'

 'Morange'

I was quite surprised, when I applied Morange, to find that it was a lot softer in colour than it looks! It's creamy on the lips and not at all drying. I don't find it too glossy either, you could add a gloss for a high shine or dust over some powder in a similar colour to mattify and update the look (as seen on the catwalk!)

'Wearing Morange'

I can't wait to wear this in the summer with a golden tan and a shimmery eyeshadow but for now ill wear it with simple black flicks of eyeliner and a porcelain skin-let Morange do the talking!

Clinique's NEW Repairwear Laser Focus, Wrinkle Correcting Eye Cream

I normally use Estee Lauder's Advance Night Repair for eyes but Clinique have just brought out a new eye cream, Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle Correcting Eye Cream, to replace the original Repairwear Intensive Eye Cream and seeing as I was given one, it'd be rude not to try it out!

'RWLF Wrinkle Correcting Eye Cream'

I have to say- I have been converted! I still love the feel of my Estee Lauder ANR but this Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle Correcting Eye Cream has surprised me!

The eye cream is aimed at people that have advance signs of ageing around the eyes- which I dont but I do feel that my eyelids arent as young and tight as they used to be! This can be used on the actual eyelids, unlike many other eye creams, so it's ideal for me because thats where my main concern around the eyes is.

Clinique did a 'Smile Test' on this product and results proved that over 12 weeks use, there was a 54% reduction in "active" smile lines. Visible improvement can be seen at around 4 weeks if you are using this product morning and night as recommended but i've been using it for about 3 days and already I can see a difference! 

The skin around my eyes is looking so much more healthier and more awake, when i'm poorly or tired (right now, im both of those!) my eyes are the first place to show it but i've been using the cream and it's perking them right up!

 My makeup is also sitting better around my eyes and i've been using the matching day and night cream on the rest of my face and I love the teamwork between the products!!

Topshop Face Wipes

By now, i'm sure you all know how obsessed I am with Topshops makeup range so now I've branched out and i'm trying their Face Wipes. At £2.50 they are priced similarly to other wipes you can get in Boots, Superdrug, etc and are of equal quality.

'Topshop Face Wipes'

They contain Aloe Vera and Cucumber and are suitable for all skin types. Aloe vera is good for nourishing the skin and protecting it, it's often used to repair the skin after minor injuries such as sunburn, burns,cuts and abrasions whilst Cucumber has the same pH balance as the skin so it'll help to restore the skins moisture and freshen you up!

The face wipes claim to be a 3 in 1- Cleansing, toning and moisturising but i'd still recommend following with a toner or clarifying lotion and then a custom fit moisturiser as wipes arent going to give a very deep clean- they remove the makeup but dirt goes deeper...unless you want to clog your pores- you need to cleanse deep!

I found these wipes quite moist which is the main thing I look for in a wipe but I did find that they dragged too much on my eye area so I wouldnt get away with taking these on a camping trip- I'd still need my eye makeup remover.

I'd give these wipes a 4/5 because I liked how refreshing they felt and the cucumbery smell but I still prefer my Boots Botanics wipes!!

Estee Lauder; Advanced Night Repair Eye Synchronized Complex

Ok, so I'm firmly in my early 20's now (as of December 25th, if you didnt know!), so naturally im starting to worry about the dreaded ageing process, but as I have Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair Eye Synchronized Complex (ANR eye) I'll be giving my eyes a younger looking future!!

'Advanced Night Repair Eye'

This silky serum-gel is developed to target fine lines, Wrinkles, Puffiness, Dark circles, Dryness and Uneven skintone around the eye area.

ANR eye contains Estee Lauders exclusive Chronolux™ Technology which helps skin optimise its natural renewal processes to reduce the look of the fine lines and wrinkles. This technology also helps with the damaging effects of daily UV light (UV rays can get us even on cloudy days!), smoke, pollution and emotional stress that can accelerate visible signs of ageing around the eyes. It can also reduce the past damage caused by these harmful assaults.

ANR eye locks in moisture and strengthens the skins moisture barrier (kind of your skins shield- so look after it!) with Hyaluronic acid and the soothing anti-irritants and targeted technologies take care of dark circles, puffiness and crepiness so create a happier, smoother eye area!

I use ANR eye morning and night- It says night repair but instructions tell you to use it morning and night- your eyes need the protection and comfort during the day but at night it needs the recovery and strengthening!

I love the texture of this serum-gel, its velvety and silky and works perfectly under a concealer- It acts as a primer to stop the concealer going cakey. You only need a few dots for each eye and pat dont drag- dragging will only traumatise the eye area!!

Reviews online give this product 5/5 stars and I agree!!

 

Topshop Nails 'Zodiac'

I've been reunited with an impulse buy! I'd totally forgotton about this nail varnish, 'Zodiac',  that I got a while ago from Topshop but I found it and I've finally used it...

'Zodiac'

Zodiac is described as Black on the Topshop website but I'd describe it more as a multi- tonal jade greeney, sorta washed out black!

It seems to have a watery black base with greeny gold metallic finish. I found this one seemed to take longer to dry than the others, but only a little bit longer!

I wasn't too keen on 'Zodiac'  when I first put it on but it's really grown on me and I got a lot of compliments on it so I may get a bit more wear out of it...and possibly try out a few more metallic varnishes!

When I bought this I paid £6.50 as it was part of a seasonal collection but its now £3 in the Topshop Sale! So you may as well try it!

Soap & Glory-Sugar Crush Body Scrub

I'm getting fruity in the shower with Sugar Crush Body Scrub from Soap & Glory!

 

'Sugar Crush, Body Scrub'

With smashed brown sugar and sweet lime, almond oil and macadamia grains, this scrub leaves me feeling silky smooth and smelling goooood! 

The smashed brown sugar and Macadamia grains buff the skin and take away dead skins cells, The almond oil in the scrub leaves the skin feeling nourished and baby smooth, And the Lime leaves a fruity, fresh fragrance on the skin.

Soap&Glory' s quirky packaging makes me want to have the whole colletion lined up on my bathroom windowsill! The range is fun and doesn't take itself too seriously with instructions on this scrub telling me to;

   'Use in the shower once, twice, or three times weekly, depending on the level of scaliness you struggle with. (Four times-even-if you’ve ever been labelled ‘old lizard legs’.)'

Sugar Crush Body Scrub is only £8 for 300ml and in Boots they often do 3 for 2 so for christmas my Mum got me 3 scrubs (obviously things im a scaley old lizard legs!!)

It'll take me a while to work through this one though because a little bit goes a long way!

Miss Dior (Cherie) Eau de Parfum

Miss Dior is my most favourite perfume ever! 

'Miss Dior'

Formerly known as  Miss Dior Cherie, This elegant fragrance is warm, floral and fruity, and makes me feel so good! 

It smells so sophisticated and romantic but makes you feel spontaneous and free.

Miss Dior is a chypre that develops step by step. It starts out all fresh and fruity with citrus notes then blossoms into floral notes, then when it really warms up, the scent of patchouli and musk linger- leaving you smelling of rich romance!!

Its pretty pricey but totally worth it. I layer the fragrance by washing with the Miss Dior shower gel- bit decadent, but i cant get enough!- It helps to build the fragrance if you also use the Miss Dior moisturising lotion too before spraying the fragrance but even with just the fragrance, it lingers long enough - in a good way!

Miss Dior comes in a toilette and also a parfum, The parfum is always the better buy- the smell is richer and longer lasting- slightly more expensive though!

Available from most departments stores and perfume shops, just make sure you get the right Miss Dior (formerly Miss Dior Cherie) as Dior also still do the original Miss Dior...massive confusion for poor husbands/boyfriends/other males relatives that have been sent to purchase it for wives/girlfriends/other female relatives!

Topshop Nails: 'Velvet Underground'

New Year...New Nails! 

Introducing my latest addition to my Topshop Nails collection...'Velvet Underground'

'Velvet Underground'

Velvet Underground is such a deep shade of purple that it's almost black, a nice nod to the gothic chic trend without looking like a 12 year old wannabe goth! 

There's no shimmery tones, just a slick wet look finish which can be enhanced with a glossy topcoat for a more glam look.

As with all the Topshop varnishes, Velvet Underground dries in seconds which I love as I always get impatient with dark colours- they always seem to take longer to dry!

I also find darker colours harder to apply neatly but the brush is idiot proof! I applied two coats whilst waiting for last nights takeaway to arrive and within 10mins, it was on and dry...not the neatest result but considering the speediness of the application-you can see for yourself- not too botched!

So thankyou to my lovely friend Becca for buying me Velvet Underground- keeping me on trend!!

Available in Topshop stores or online